{"id":155455,"date":"2025-09-20T00:06:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T00:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/155455\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T00:06:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T00:06:07","slug":"former-russell-westbrook-teammate-sounds-off-on-nba-stars-critics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/155455\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Russell Westbrook Teammate Sounds Off on NBA Star’s Critics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Russell Westbrook<\/a> is still an NBA free agent. As the basketball world waits on the veteran point guard\u2019s next move to happen, one of his former teammates has grown fed up with the narrative surrounding the one-time NBA MVP.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe man has been hated on,\u201d said ex-NBA guard Raymond Felton. <\/p>\n

Reminded of Westbrook\u2019s past after watching a recap of moments in Westbrook\u2019s career, Felton was taken back to the negative narratives surrounding the veteran guard. He especially doesn\u2019t appreciate the public\u2019s reception of Westbrook due to the way his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers played out.<\/p>\n

\"Russell<\/p>\n

Apr 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Raymond Felton (2) guards Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Thunder defeated the Mavericks 131-102. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images \/ Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he went to the Lakers that was whatever,\u201d Felton said. <\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody wanted to talk about that and hold him to that. How are you going to hold him to that when that man was doing so much greatness, prior to that? Commentators, half of these [people] don\u2019t know nothing about basketball, and yes, I\u2019m coming at ya\u2019ll because ya\u2019ll don\u2019t know [expletive]. I don\u2019t give a [expletive]. Come at me. Say whatever you want to say about me. I\u2019m ready for it, but it really bothers me when people talk about [Westbrook], who never played the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raymond Felton on Russell Westbrook:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe man has been hated on and put to the side his whole entire career. This ain’t nothing he’s not used to. But how can you just disrespect the man and his loyalty that he had to OKC? Even when KD left, he stayed loyal.\u201d<\/p>\n

(via @ToTheBaha<\/a>,\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/1mxAAxzBcf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

When Westbrook entered the NBA in 2008, he was a high lottery pick, going to the Oklahoma City Thunder at fourth overall out of UCLA. Not every top-tier selection lives up to the value of the draft pick, but Westbrook\u2019s run in OKC was nothing short of excellent. <\/p>\n

Westbrook isn\u2019t going to end his career with the Thunder being the only team he played for, but they certainly got the most out of Westbrook. In four seasons, he led the league in availability while playing for the Thunder. He was a scoring champion twice, and led the league in assists on two occasions. In 2017, Westbrook was named the NBA\u2019s most valuable. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe really did a lot in the game of basketball. This man broke many records, this man\u2019s going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and ya\u2019all just [expletive] on his name,\u201d Felton added. <\/p>\n

\"Russell<\/p>\n

May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images \/ Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Like many NBA stars, Westbrook has created as many doubters as he has created fans. So, for that first group, they put emphasis on every bad shot and shortcoming. In the eyes of Felton, that\u2019s a flawed approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat man really can hoop. I\u2019ve been in the gym with him, I\u2019ve been on the court with him. His passion for the game. Does he make mistakes? Yes. Does he take ill-advised shots sometimes? Yes. That\u2019s who he is! That\u2019s why I say that you got to take the good with the bad with Russ, but it\u2019s way more good than there\u2019s bad,\u201d he finished.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, Westbrook will earn one of the highest honors for any hooper, which is making the Hall of Fame. If his career ended today, Westbrook would lave with an MVP nod, nine All-Stars, nine All-NBA nods, and a jacket for the NBA\u2019s 75th anniversary team.<\/p>\n

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